The Green Light
Patrick Breen
The Green Light
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patrick Breen
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Patrick Breen slams the last game card down, grinning as chaos erupts around him. Suddenly, he's hauled off to a summer camp built on haunted ground where the Donner Party met a terrible fate long ago. Now, something dark and ancient stirs, and Patrick must uncover the secret of the Green Light before it’s too late.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade horror novel follows Patrick Breen, a mischievous twelve-year-old sent to a disciplinary summer camp located on the historic site of the Donner Party tragedy. The story explores themes of supernatural horror and survival, with some scary moments tied to an ancient evil known as the Green Light. Suitable for readers aged 9-12 who can handle mild suspense and spooky elements.
Why we rated The Green Light 9MP
The Green Light is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Green Light works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Green Light as 9MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Green Light explores horror, adventure, supernatural, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about horror, adventure, supernatural.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781401082635
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Xlibris Corporation
- Published
- February 2003
- Type
- Fiction